1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

[vanman420]

~Happy Easter Everyone!~
Hello and thanks for looking! Brand new to the forum...
I just inherited this 1956 Crestliner boat + trailor with a 1972 40HP Evinrude.
Boat was my grandpa's and will be passed on to my son...
I am fully restoring the boat and need a few pointers...
I'd like a top for the driver's area and maybe a windshield???
I'd like to know whats best to use on buffing the aluminum(outside) and best paint for inside bottom???
What removes old DMV stickers the best or easiest?
I am replacing the wood seats and flooring BUT rails are fine!
Anyone know if this is an original "Crestliner" trailor?
We have no titles or info yet as we searched for lost ones at DMV....
I hear these old riveted boats leak around the rivets so whats best for that if that occurs???
Boat is marked on side R756...which I think means July 1956??? Does the R mean runabout???
I will take pictures as I go so everyone can see the progression...
Thanks for looking and have a great day!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

First you have a PM (Private Message).....

That is a beautiful boat.

If you intend to trailer it .... PLEASE do not paint the bottom. It will not need paint.

A windshield which will not be original might be had on ebay.

Welcome to the iboats forum.

I do like that boat!!!

 

[5150abf]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

Welcome to iboats neighbor, alot of Nothern Indiana people on here lately, that is a really neat boat, I love the lines, they certainly don't make them like that anymore.

That trailer sure looks like it came with the boat.

1- Your problem with a bimini is finding one for a boat that narrow and the windsheild can be found on Ebay but again the narrow beam might make that harder.

2-The boat is in incredible condition, very clean, if you actually polish the boat it will look like it is chrome plated, if that is what you want a buffer and some Mothers polish will take care of that.

If you want a more matte finish use a super fine Scotch brite pad and move inline with the boat to give it a grain.

As for paint alot of guys use regular rustoleum with good results, Gluvite is also a good choice as it seals leaks too.

3- A heat gun works wonders, a hair dryer on high will make it easier, then hit the goo left behind with some laquer thinner and it will come right off.

4- For leaky rivets support the boat on some saw horses and put water into it, 2''-3'' is fine, use a wood block to roll the boat one way then the other to check rivets on the sides, mark any that leak.

You just need 2 steel hammers to rebuck them, hold one hammer on the outside and smack it with the other on the inside and it will reseal them.

Good luck and keep the pics coming.

 

[vanman420]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

Excellent advice guys!!!
Don't worry I won't paint the outside at all...Only bottom on inside.
I spent all day working on it. Tore out all the old wood(floor+benches) The long rails on each side are in great shape so I will sand and varnish.
I spent 4 hours pressure spraying inside bottom as there is ALOT of old paint flaking off. I also pressure washed the trailer and removed all the lights, wiring, chains, etc...getting ready for paint!!!!!
Before I brought it home I bought brand new tires and put them on and checked the bearings!
This is 6 feet wide...Is that considered skinny? I really need a top for it!
I will put a new stereo, fishfinder, trolling motor, anchor mates, fire extinguisher, horn, fenders for trailor, etc...
I am open for suggestions on anything also!
Thanks again!!! This is an awesome website!!!!!!

 

[5150abf]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

Wow, doesn't look like 72'' in the pics, no that isn't skinny at all, look around in the iboats store for a bimini, you should be able to find something.

Really the only way to know what you need is to take it out and when you need something and don't have it you know you need that.

I agree, if you need to know anything about boats this is the place to be, I still find myself on the asking end now and then.

 

[vanman420]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

It's gonna rain today so I'm inside playing all day...
Here are pics from yesterdays progress...
I got both benched removed and got both boat and trailor pressure sprayed.
I am going to tape off bottom of boat 1 inch above the old paint and repaint with black spray on rhino lining.
I'll get the trailor(not rollers) sprayed with gloss black also once I get a nice day this week!!!

3 layers of paint coming off!!! Red, light green and dark green rhino?

I will replace the steering wheel and refinish the door...

 

[Shizzy]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

nice looking boat! My Dad had a 57 with a "newer" 40 HP Evinrude.

why do you plan to replace the steering wheel?

 

[vanman420]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

After further thought I might just repaint the original steering wheel as it's NOT broken. I am trying to keep it all original as possible!!!!
Thanks!

 

[Free Bird]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

I saw another boat restoration where they used high gloss rustoleum spray paint on the steering wheel and it looked great. Keep your steering wheel if it's not falling apart. It's very cool looking. Sorry for the loss of your grandfather but it's a great boat and I bet you'll have lots of great family memories with it.

 

[vanman420]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

Thats a great idea!
I just went and checked to see if the steering wheel is damaged at all and it's just fine...
I'll remove it, sand and repaint with high gloss rustoleum!
I'll be working on my boat the next couple days!!!
I'll have more pictures soon!!! Thanks again!!!!

 

[vanman420]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

It's been a couple weeks so I wanted to update everyone!
Trailor is sanded and repainted. Bearings checked and repacked.
New shocks and tires and the only thing left is mount new lights and fenders.
I ordered 4 new white oak planks from a local mill.
The drivers seat is 1 1/2 inch thick X 13 wide X 60 long...Others were 14 wide but 1 inch thick so I had to have mill cut everything special...
I pressure washed the boat inside and out. I then Acid Washed the boat inside and out!!! Then repressure washed it again.
The dash, side rails and rear motor mount are all solid oak so I sanded them down and put quality marine varnish back on. I'll do the same to seats once I get them routered, and drilled for seat holes...
I found a couple pin holes and a couple steel screws I want removed from bottom and patched.
What is the best aluminum repair?
I removed steering wheel to find it cracked underneath so I'll get a new one.
I ordered the evinrude motor repair manual off ebay and I'm going to dept Motor veh. today for a replacement VIN for the trailor.
I went back to where boat was stored and found the original canvas top!
I also found the rest of the fishfinder, power cord and owners manual was in grandpas tackle box!
I was very happy!
My Dad will be shocked to see what the finished product will look like!
Kinda like an episode of "Overhauled"...haha
Have a great week everyone!!!
Pictures will come soon!!!!!!!!!

 

[vanman420]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

FINALLY DONE!
It's taken two months...Plus I went to disneyworld for a week BUT I finally have it ready to fish and ski...
I ended up replacing the axle and wheels...
Welded on new fenders and support brackets then tacked a piece of NONskid plate on top the fender for a step!Welded axle brackets then mounted new lights running wires thru tube of trailer.
Installed New white oak planks throughout and drivers seat is 2 inches thick!
New Stainless screws and beauty rings throughout.
Repaired a couple holes from steel screws I removed with Marine Epoxy!
I sanded everything then stained and varnished a few times!
Installed new Crestliner decals, lic plates and registration stickers...
Washed and put new line on 6 poles!!! haha
I will get a stereo and light switch put in dash...
Here is my dad and kids...Ready to go fishing!
etc, etc, etc...
Thanks for looking!

 

[vanman420]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

couple more...

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

That's a sweet rig...nice work. However, now we gotta see pix of it and the crew on the water...the price of providing eye candy on this forum.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

Vanman great looking Tinny . Just in case you didnt toss out the original steering wheel you can repairrebuild it with some 2 part epoxy . Clean the heck out of it and open/clean anycracks with files then fill the cracks with the epoxy . Sand it back down smooth primer and paint good as new.


Rick

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

Outstanding job !! I LIKE THE WOOD......

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

Ive just about finished my 60 falcon and the steering wheel was repaired with the epoxy and paint like the other poster said to do. Looks almost brand new and a cheap fix. The correct steering wheel adds alot to the boat. My new avatar shows me and my Crestliner falcon with the original merc 300 thats been reconditioned.

 

[vanman420]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

Thanks Everyone!!! I repainted the original steering wheel after repairing it with epoxy like your suggestions!
I agree the original just looks better!
I am tuning up the evinrude and while taking off lower unit the driveshaft didn't come out with it??? I started a link for help???
Read this...
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=328935
Anyhow thanks for all the compliments!!!
I will post pics once we get out fishing!!!
~This site rules~

 

[Dmalner]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

I too am restoring a 1956 crestliner.. I just posted a thread on that as well. .
Great job on the boat. Is it a 16 footer? looks a bit deeper then mine.

 

[vanman420]

Re: 1956 Crestliner Aluminum Boat~RESTORATION~

I took the family fishing for blue gills and we caught 11...
My daughter Haley caught the first one of the year and it was a Monster!
After all the help this forum has been to me I felt obligated to show some pictures of my finished project "ON THE WATER"!!!
What a fantastic handling boat!!!
The boat moves easily and handles great! The wave(splash) guards are priceless! I had soooo much fun restoring this boat and especially having the family help in the process!
I think they appreciate it THAT much more!!!
Thanks for looking and ~God Bless!~
When Haley hooked the fish she knocked my hat off and shades into water!
hahaha BUT she landed that Huge gill...
My son had a Lake trout hooked, BUT when it seen the boat it darted and bent his #6 eagle claw!!! WOW!!!
I know, I know there is always 1 that got away!!! hahaha

My son's blue gill was a NICE keeper! BUT Haley's was a Slabber!!!!!